While the farmers' movement could harden, notably at the initiative of the Rural Coordination, the FDSEA 25 (departmental federation of farmers' unions) and the Young Farmers (JA 25) met Monday evening in several locations in Doubs to carry out public awareness actions. With a fight that adds to all the others: opposition to the Mercosur free trade agreement.
In Besançon, around fifteen farmers met at the Centrakor roundabout in the Chateaufarine commercial zone, where posters were posted on public panels. Town entrance signs were also exchanged, like those of Saint-Vit. “ The government says yes to the free trade treaty with Mercosur. We don't want it at all », insists Eric Morel, polycultivator in Pouilley-Français. Concerning the opening of the meat market, French breeders opposed to the treaty also want to be sure that this meat production cannot supply the agri-food industry.
“A health, economic and moral crisis »
« Since the fall of 2023, farmers have been going through a health, economic and moral crisis », Explains Mélanie Gruet, president of JA 25. According to the union, the reduction in charges, cash flow support measures and aid for bluetongue have made it possible to partially respond to the emergency. However, some farms remain in alarming situations. “ We want to be able to make a living from our jobs but it's always very complicated », Says Matthieu Baulieu, farmer in Pelousey and cantonal delegate of Audeux for the FDSEA. “ We went organic a few years ago, but with all these standards, it's becoming more and more difficult.
« Today we need concrete measures for our department », adds Mélanie Gruet. “ We want essential administrative simplification to ease procedures concerning wetlands, regulations on hedges, ditches and watercourses. We also demand European and global consistency in terms of regulations. » Farmers deplore the opening of the market to massive imports of agricultural products that do not meet French standards. Finally, a sensitive subject in the Doubs, the JA and the FDSEA say they are waiting for “ decisive progress on the status of the wolf to put an end to a situation that has become untenable for breeders ».
“A health, economic and moral crisis »
Another meeting point this Monday evening: the Hyper U parking lot, in the town of Doubs next to Pontarlier. Around twenty farmers from the canton took part in the department-wide action. The town entrance signs have also been covered, replaced by signs with powerful messages. “Emergency simplification”, “No country without peasants” or even “Argentina, no to Mercosur”, we could read.
“The red line that we want to highlight is Mercosur. We certainly have the Minister of Agriculture and the President who say they are against it, but it is the European Union which must ratify this agreement. The objective is therefore to show that France and French farmers are moving so that farmers in the rest of Europe do the same,” declared Florent Dornier, president of FDSEA 25.
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